Reconfigurable point of purchase display system

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed toward a reconfigurable point of purchase display system including a storage cabinet and a frame structure including a series of components selectively disposable in various configurations.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a nonprovisional of Provisional Application No. 61/699,594, entitled “Reconfigurable Point of Purchase Display System” and filed on Sep. 11, 2012, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to point of purchase display system for products such as toys.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Point-of-purchase or point-of-sale displays are utilized to display a variety of products a point of sale location. Conventional displays have often been manufactured having a fixed size and fixed arrangement for displaying the products. Consequently, these displays are limited not only in the manner in which the product is displayed, but also but also in their location within the point of sale/retailer since a space must be identified within the point of sale/retailer that accommodates the display. Thus, it would be desirable to provide a point-of-purchase display that is capable of being selectively reconfigured to alter the manner in which the products are displayed to a user and/or to accommodate different products.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed toward a reconfigurable, point-of-purchase display system including a storage cabinet and a frame structure selectively configurable to modify the display capability and/or the footprint/space requirements of the system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates a front perspective view of a point-of-purchase (POP) display system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1B illustrates an isolated view of a lateral wall in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate isolated views of the base cabinet in its closed and opened configurations, respectively.

FIG. 3A illustrates a partially exploded view of the system of FIG. 1A, showing the coupling of the support member to the lateral walls, with the shelf units removed for clarity.

FIG. 3B illustrates an isolated view of a shelf unit in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates the device of FIG. 1, showing a configuration in which end panel inserts are coupled to the lateral walls.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate the system of FIG. 1 disposed in a configuration in which hooks are coupled to the lateral walls.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate the system of FIG. 1 disposed in a configuration in which end shelves are coupled to the lateral walls.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate the system of FIG. 1 disposed in a folded configuration.

FIG. 8A illustrates the system of FIG. 1, disposed in a folded configuration and including a diorama attachment.

FIG. 8B illustrates the system of FIG. 1, disposed in a folded configuration and including a play table attachment.

FIGS. 9A-9C illustrate various configurations of the display system.

Like reference numerals have been used to identify like elements throughout this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, the modular display 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a base cabinet 105 and a frame 110 disposed over the base. The base cabinet 105 is configured to house the components forming the display 10 during shipment and/or to provide a storage area for the components at the point of purchase while the components are not in use. Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the base cabinet 105 includes a housing or cabinet box 205 and a drawer 210 slidingly coupled to the box 205 such that, in its closed position (FIG. 2A), the drawer 210 is nested within the housing 205, and in its opened positioned (FIG. 2B), the drawer 210 telescopes out of the housing 205. The base cabinet 105 (the housing 205 and/or the drawer 210) may be formed of any materials suitable for its described purpose. By way of example, the base cabinet 105 may be formed of cardboard. The base cabinet 105, moreover, may possess any shape and dimensions suitable for its described purpose. By way of example, the base cabinet 105 may be generally rectangular.

The base cabinet 105 further includes framework fastened to the housing 205. The framework includes a first framework member 215A extending across the housing 205 and disposed proximate housing forward edge, as well as a second framework member 215B extending across the housing 205 and disposed proximate rearward housing edge. Each framework member 215A, 215B may be in the form of a U-shaped rod defined by a first leg 220A and a second leg 220B disposed on opposite ends of an intermediate arm 220C. The legs 220A, 220B cooperate to support the display 10 on a supporting surface. The framework further includes a plurality of protrusions or bosses operable to mate with cavities formed into the frame 110 of the display, securing the frame to the base cabinet 105. Specifically, the each framework member 215A, 215B includes a first protrusion or boss 225A and a second protrusion or boss 225B. The first boss 225A extends distally from the intermediate arm 220C (e.g., from the top surface of the arm) and is positioned along the intermediate arm such that it is located proximate the first leg 220A. The second boss 225B extends distally from the intermediate arm 220C (e.g., from the top surface of the arm) and is positioned on the intermediate arm such that it is located proximate the second leg 220B.

Referring back to FIGS. 1A and 1B, as well as seen in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the frame 110 includes a first lateral wall 115A and a second lateral wall 115B. The lateral walls removably couple to the framework members 215A, 215B of the base cabinet 105, with each lateral wall 115A, 115B including recesses configured to mate with the framework bosses 225A, 225B. Specifically, the first lateral wall 115A couples to the first bosses 225A of the first 215A and second 215B base framework members. Similarly, the second lateral wall 115B couples to the second bosses 225B of the first 215A and second 215B framework members.

As seen best in FIG. 1B, the first lateral wall 115A includes a first or upper wall portion 120A pivotally coupled to a second or lower wall portion 120B along hinge 125. Similarly, the second lateral wall 115B includes a first or upper wall portion 130A pivotally coupled to a second or lower wall portion 130B along hinge 135. The wall portions 120A, 120B, 130A, 130B may be defined by a rigid outer frame member 140 (e.g., a generally square or rectangular outer frame member) supporting a generally rigid open web 142 including a plurality of horizontal wires 145A oriented transverse (e.g., generally orthogonal to) vertical wires 145B such that the wires intersect. The lateral walls 115A, 115B may further include tracks T that receive, guide, and hold an end panel insert that is axially inserted into the tracks (discussed in greater detail below). The material forming the frame 110 (including the outer frame member 140 and the wires 145A, 145B) may include, but is not limited to, metal.

The lateral walls 115A, 115B of the frame 110 support shelving configured to selectively couple to the lateral walls at desired vertical positions. In an embodiment of the present invention, the display 10 includes an upper shelf unit 150, an intermediate shelf unit 155, and a lower shelf unit 160. As seen best in FIG. 3B, each shelf unit 150, 155, 160 includes an outer shelf frame 305 that supports a forward shelf portion 310A and a rearward shelf portion 310B. Similar to the wall portions 120A, 120B, 130A, 130B, the shelf portions 310A, 310B include open web defined by intersecting wires. The shelf portions 310A, 310B are spaced from each other to define a centrally disposed, elongated slot 315 therebetween. The slot is configured to receive the panel of the support member (discussed in greater detail below). The lateral ends 320A, 320B of each shelf unit 150, 155, 160 include clamps 325 (e.g., resilient, C-shaped clamps) configured to releasably engage the horizontal wires 145A of the lateral walls 115A, 115B. With this configuration, the horizontal wires 145A support the shelf units 150, 155, 160 at the selected vertical position, enabling a user to select the vertical height at which each shelf unit 150, 155, 160 is positioned.

Referring to FIG. 3A, the frame 110 further includes a central support member 330 positioned between the lateral walls 115A, 115B and sliding through the central slot 315 defined by the shelf units 150, 155, 160. The support member 330 includes a panel 335 and a header 340 coupled (e.g., fixed) to the upper edge of the panel. The header 340 may be in the form of a generally-U-shaped rod having a first portion or arm 345A spaced from the second portion or arm 345B by an intermediate member 345C. The first 345A and second 345B arms couples to one or more of the shelf units 150, 155, 160, e.g., via insertion into apertures A formed into the frame 305 of at least the upper shelf unit 150. The apertures (e.g., generally circular apertures) may be disposed along each lateral side 320A, 320B of the shelf unit 150, 155, 160 such that they are generally aligned with the shelf slot 315. In operation, the panel 335 is axially inserted into the shelf slots 315 such that its lower end rests on the top surface of the cabinet box/housing 205. Additionally, each header arm 345A, 345B is axially inserted into its respective aperture A.

As mentioned above, and referring to FIG. 4, the lateral walls 115A, 115B may include tracks T that receive an end panel insert 405. Specifically, the lateral wall upper portions 120A, 130A includes a pair of tracks T disposed on either side of the open web 142. Similarly the lateral wall lower portions 120B, 130B includes a pair of tracks T disposed on either side of the open web 142. With this configuration, the tracks T receive the end panel insert 405, securing it to the lateral wall 115A, 115B. The end panel insert 405 may include indicia related to the product to be displayed and sold, or may display other information to the purchaser.

Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the display 10 may further be fitted with one or more pegs or hooks 505 that couple to the lateral walls 115A, 115B of the frame 110. The hooks 505 may include a base 510 (e.g., a J-shaped base) and a post 505 extending distally from the base. The base is configured to couple to the horizontal wires 145A of the lateral walls 115A, 115B. The hooks 505 may be disposed at selected positions along one or both vertical walls 115A, 115B, and may be used to hangingly support a product for display/sale.

Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the display 10 may further be fitted with one or more end shelf units 605 that couple to the lateral walls 115A, 115B of the frame 110. The end shelf units 605 may possess a structure similar to the shelf units 150, 155, 160 described above, including a rigid frame an open web formed of intersecting wires. The rearward edge of the end shelf unit frame may include one or more coupling members (e.g., hooks, clamps, or clasps) operable to couple the end shelf to the horizontal wires 145A of the lateral walls 115A, 115B.

It should be understood that a user may use any configuration of hooks 505 and end shelf units 605, e.g., coupling hooks to the first lateral wall 115A and coupling end shelf units to the second lateral wall 115B.

As noted above, each vertical wall 115A, 115B is configured such that the upper portion 120A, 130A pivots with respect to its corresponding lower portion 120B, 130B along hinge 125, 135. Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the upper portions 120A, 130A pivot (indicated by arrow P) approximately 90° inward (toward each other) such that the upper portions become generally aligned along a plane. With this configuration, the display 10 may be utilized in areas with less available vertical height. In addition, this configuration enables a further modification of the display. Specifically, referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, the surface defined by the pivoted upper wall portions 120A, 130A may receive a display housing insert 805 containing a sample of the product. By way of example, the display housing 805 may include an interactive assembly or diorama with one or more try me features that enables a customer to interact with the display housing insert 805 and thereby demonstrate one or more features of product. Alternatively, the surface defined by the pivoted upper wall portions 120A, 130A may receive a table display insert 810 containing the product, enabling a user to interact with the product at the point of purchase.

The above-described display provides a reconfigurable system that enables a user to display a product in selected manner, depending on the amount of space available at the point of purchase site, the nature of the product, and the desired method of display. For example, referring to FIG. 9A, the products 905 may simply be placed on the shelf units 150, 155, 160, with the end panel inserts 405 inserted into the lateral walls 115A, 115B. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 9B, the end panel inserts 405 may be removed (and stored in the cabinet 105), and the hooks 505 may be coupled to one of the lateral walls 115A, 115B. Accordingly, in addition to products 905 being placed on the shelf units 150, 155, hanging products 910 are suspended from the hooks 505 along one of the lateral wall 115A, 115B. Also shown in this embodiment is a configuration in which the shelf units 150, 155 are modified to accommodate products of various sizes (both small sized products 905 and large sized products 915). Finally, as shown in FIG. 9C, both lateral walls 115A, 115B may contain the hooks 505 to support hanging products 910. Finally, and as illustrated in FIG. 2B, virtually all components of the modular display 10 can be stored in the drawer 210 of the base cabinet 105.

While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention that come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. For example, although a infant seat with a bouncer frame has been specifically described, other types of infant seats could benefit from the features of the invention. It is to be understood that terms such as “left”, “right” “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “rear”, “side”, “height”, “length”, “width”, “upper”, “lower”, “interior”, “exterior”, “inner”, “outer” and the like as may be used herein, merely describe points of reference and do not limit the present invention to any particular orientation or configuration. 

We claim:
 1. A reconfigurable point of purchase display system comprising: a base cabinet; and a frame adapted to support a product, the frame comprising: a first lateral wall coupled to the base cabinet, a second lateral wall coupled to the base cabinet, and a shelf unit coupled each of the first and second lateral walls, the shelf unit including a first shelf portion, a second shelf portion, and a shelf slot disposed between the first and second shelf portions.
 2. The reconfigurable point of purchase display system of claim 1, further comprising a support member received into the shelf slot.
 3. The reconfigurable point of purchase display system of claim 2, wherein the support member comprises a panel received into the slot and a coupling arm coupled to the shelf unit.
 4. The reconfigurable point of purchase display system of claim 1, wherein: the display system further comprises a plurality of shelf units coupled to both the first and second lateral walls; each shelf unit comprises a first shelf portion, a second shelf portion, and a shelf slot disposed between first and second shelf portions; and the shelf slots are generally aligned along an axis.
 5. The reconfigurable point of purchase display system of claim 1 further comprising an end panel insert received by the first lateral wall.
 6. The reconfigurable point of purchase display system of claim 1, wherein: each lateral wall comprises a first side and a second side; the shelf units are disposed between the first sides of the lateral walls; the system further comprises an end shelf coupled to the second side of the first lateral wall.
 7. The reconfigurable point of purchase display system of claim 1, wherein a product is supported on the shelf unit.
 8. The reconfigurable point of purchase display system of claim 1 further comprising a drawer mounted in the base cabinet.
 9. The reconfigurable point of purchase display system of claim 1 wherein each lateral wall includes a first wall portion pivotally coupled to a second wall portion via a hinge.
 10. A reconfigurable point of purchase display system comprising: a base cabinet; and a frame adapted to support a product, the frame comprising a first lateral wall coupled to the base cabinet and a second lateral wall coupled to the base cabinet, wherein each lateral wall includes a first wall portion pivotally coupled to a second wall portion via a hinge.
 11. The reconfigurable point of purchase display system of claim 10 further comprising a shelf unit coupled each of the first and second lateral walls, the shelf unit including a first shelf portion, a second shelf portion, and a shelf slot disposed between first and second shelf portions.
 12. The reconfigurable point of purchase display system of claim 11, further comprising a support member received into the shelf slot.
 13. The reconfigurable point of purchase display system of claim 12, wherein the support member comprises a panel received into the shelf slot and a coupling arm coupled to the shelf unit.
 14. The reconfigurable point of purchase display system of claim 11, wherein: the display system further comprises a plurality of shelf units coupled to both the first and second lateral walls; each shelf unit comprises a first shelf portion, a second shelf portion, and a shelf slot disposed between first and second shelf portions; and the shelf slots are generally aligned along an axis.
 15. The reconfigurable point of purchase display system of claim 10 further comprising an end panel insert received by the first lateral wall.
 16. The reconfigurable point of purchase display system of claim 11, wherein: each lateral wall comprises a first side and a second side; the shelf units are disposed between the first sides of the lateral walls; the system further comprises an end shelf coupled to the second side of the first lateral wall.
 17. The reconfigurable point of purchase display system of claim 10 further comprising a drawer mounted in the base cabinet.
 18. The reconfigurable point of purchase display system of claim 10, wherein a product is supported on the frame.
 19. The reconfigurable point of purchase display system of claim 10, wherein the first wall portions are pivotal to a position to form a horizontal surface over the base cabinet.
 20. The reconfigurable point of purchase display system of claim 19, wherein the horizontal surface is configured to receive a table display insert. 